Provinces of Thailand

Provinces of Thailand
Provinces of Thailand
Also known as:; changwat (จังหวัด);
Category	Unitary state
Location	Kingdom of Thailand
Number	76 provinces + 1 special administrative area (Bangkok)
Populations	174,000 (Mae Hong Son) – 5,702,000 (Bangkok) (2022)
Areas	414 km2 (160 sq mi) Samut Songkhram – 20,736 km2 (8,006 sq mi) Nakhon Ratchasima
Government	Provincial/Special Administrative Divisional government;
Subdivisions	Districts;

The provinces of Thailand are administrative divisions of the government of Thailand.^[3] The country is divided into 76 provinces (Thai: จังหวัด, RTGS: changwat, pronounced [t͡ɕāŋ.wàt̚]) proper, with one additional special administrative area (the capital, Bangkok).^[4]^[5]^[6] They are the primary local government units and act as juristic persons. They are divided into amphoe (districts) which are further divided into tambon (sub districts), the next lower level of local government.

All provinces form part of the partially devolved central government, or the regional government (ราชการส่วนภูมิภาค ratchakan suan phumiphak). Majority of public services, including police, prison, transport, public relation and others are still overseen and managed by the province on behalf of the central government. In 1938–1996, the Royal Thai Government proposed that each province should have a council, elected from people resided within that province. The council acts as an advisory and auditing body to the governor (ผู้ว่าราชการจังหวัด phu wa ratchakan changwat), who is appointed by the central government. In 1997, each province has its own provincial administrative organization (องค์การบริหารส่วนจังหวัด ongkan borihan suan changwat), presided over by the president. The PAO manages some public services related to the province. It was expected that the PAO president will become the elected governor (instead of a centrally-appointed one), but the full devolution of the government has not happened. The PAO as well as other municipalities form part of the local self-governing government (ราชการส่วนท้องถิ่น ratchakan suan thongthin).

Bangkok, the sole special administrative area, combines the tasks of the provinces with that of a municipality, including having an elected governor. The average area of the 76 provinces of Thailand plus Bangkok is about 6,663.89 km² (2,572.94 sq mi), while its average population of all 77 divisions of Thailand is about 908,064 people.

The 76 provinces in Thailand

A clickable map of Thailand exhibiting its provinces

Name	Name (in Thai)	Population (December 2022)^[1]	Area (km²)^[2]	Population density	Capital	HS^[7]	ISO^[8]	FIPS
Bangkok (special administrative area)	กรุงเทพมหานคร	5,702,000	1,564	3,623	Bangkok	BKK	TH-10	TH40
Amnat Charoen	อำนาจเจริญ	402,000	3,290	115	Amnat Charoen	ACR	TH-37	TH77
Ang Thong	อ่างทอง	301,000	950	294	Ang Thong	ATG	TH-15	TH35
Bueng Kan	บึงกาฬ	450,000	4,003	106	Bueng Kan	BKN	TH-38	TH81
Buriram	บุรีรัมย์	1,623,000	10,080	159	Buriram	BRM	TH-31	TH28
Chachoengsao	ฉะเชิงเทรา	754,000	5,169	139	Chachoengsao	CCO	TH-24	TH44
Chai Nat	ชัยนาท	331,000	2,506	131	Chai Nat	CNT	TH-18	TH32
Chaiyaphum	ชัยภูมิ	1,156,000	12,698	91	Chaiyaphum	CPM	TH-36	TH26
Chanthaburi	จันทบุรี	572,000	6,415	84	Chanthaburi	CTI	TH-22	TH48
Chiang Mai	เชียงใหม่	1,820,000	22,436	79	Chiang Mai	CMI	TH-50	TH02
Chiang Rai	เชียงราย	1,315,000	11,503	113	Chiang Rai	CRI	TH-57	TH03
Chonburi	ชลบุรี	1,603,000	4,508	346	Chonburi	CBI	TH-20	TH46
Chumphon	ชุมพร	524,000	5,998	85	Chumphon	CPN	TH-86	TH58
Kalasin	กาฬสินธุ์	1,010,000	6,936	142	Kalasin	KSN	TH-46	TH23
Kamphaeng Phet	กำแพงเพชร	748,000	8,512	86	Kamphaeng Phet	KPT	TH-62	TH11
Kanchanaburi	กาญจนบุรี	914,000	19,385	46	Kanchanaburi	KRI	TH-71	TH50
Khon Kaen	ขอนแก่น	1,826,000	10,659	169	Khon Kaen	KKN	TH-40	TH22
Krabi	กระบี่	500,000	5,323	90	Krabi	KBI	TH-81	TH63
Lampang	ลำปาง	762,000	12,488	59	Lampang	LPG	TH-52	TH06
Lamphun	ลำพูน	421,000	4,478	92	Lamphun	LPN	TH-51	TH05
Loei	เลย	656,000	10,500	61	Loei	LEI	TH-42	TH18
Lopburi	ลพบุรี	779,000	6,493	116	Lopburi	LRI	TH-16	TH34
Mae Hong Son	แม่ฮ่องสอน	174,000	12,765	23	Mae Hong Son	MSN	TH-58	TH01
Maha Sarakham	มหาสารคาม	1,000,000	5,607	172	Maha Sarakham	MKM	TH-44	TH24
Mukdahan	มุกดาหาร	338,000	4,126	87	Mukdahan	MDH	TH-49	TH78
Nakhon Nayok	นครนายก	224,000	2,141	122	Nakhon Nayok City	NYK	TH-26	TH43
Nakhon Pathom	นครปฐม	955,000	2,142	430	Mueang Nakhon Pathom	NPT	TH-73	TH53
Nakhon Phanom	นครพนม	698,000	5,637	127	Nakhon Phanom	NPM	TH-48	TH73
Nakhon Ratchasima	นครราชสีมา	2,703,000	20,736	128	Nakhon Ratchasima	NMA	TH-30	TH27
Nakhon Sawan	นครสวรรค์	997,000	9,526	111	Nakhon Sawan	NSN	TH-60	TH16
Nakhon Si Thammarat	นครศรีธรรมราช	1,602,000	9,885	158	Nakhon Si Thammarat	NRT	TH-80	TH64
Nan	น่าน	492,000	12,130	40	Nan	NAN	TH-55	TH04
Narathiwat	นราธิวาส	847,000	4,491	180	Narathiwat	NWT	TH-96	TH31
Nong Bua Lamphu	หนองบัวลำภู	481,000	4,099	125	Nong Bua Lam Phu	NBP	TH-39	TH79
Nong Khai	หนองคาย	536,000	3,275	160	Nong Khai	NKI	TH-43	TH17
Nonthaburi	นนทบุรี	1,335,000	637	1,986	Nonthaburi	NBI	TH-12	TH38
Pathum Thani	ปทุมธานี	1,142,000	1,520	766	Pathum Thani	PTE	TH-13	TH39
Pattani	ปัตตานี	756,000	1,977	367	Pattani	PTN	TH-94	TH69
Phang Nga	พังงา	243,000	5,495	49	Phang Nga	PNA	TH-82	TH61
Phatthalung	พัทลุง	567,000	3,861	135	Phatthalung	PLG	TH-93	TH66
Phayao	พะเยา	489,000	6,189	76	Phayao	PYO	TH-56	TH41
Phetchabun	เพชรบูรณ์	1,034,000	12,340	80	Phetchabun	PNB	TH-67	TH14
Phetchaburi	เพชรบุรี	469,000	6,172	77	Phetchaburi	PBI	TH-76	TH56
Phichit	พิจิตร	578,000	4,319	124	Phichit	PCT	TH-66	TH13
Phitsanulok	พิษณุโลก	900,000	10,589	82	Phitsanulok	PLK	TH-65	TH12
Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya	พระนครศรีอยุธยา	812,000	2,548	322	Ayutthaya	AYA	TH-14	TH36
Phrae	แพร่	426,000	6,483	68	Phrae	PRE	TH-54	TH07
Phuket	ภูเก็ต	387,000	547	762	Phuket	PKT	TH-83	TH62
Prachinburi	ปราจีนบุรี	506,000	5,026	99	Prachinburi	PRI	TH-25	TH74
Prachuap Khiri Khan	ประจวบคีรีขันธ์	530,000	6,414	88	Prachuap Khiri Khan	PKN	TH-77	TH57
Ranong	ระนอง	204,000	3,230	60	Ranong	RNG	TH-85	TH59
Ratchaburi	ราชบุรี	895,000	5,189	168	Ratchaburi	RBR	TH-70	TH52
Rayong	ระยอง	727,000	3,666	201	Rayong	RYG	TH-21	TH47
Roi Et	ร้อยเอ็ด	1,295,000	7,873	166	Roi Et	RET	TH-45	TH25
Sa Kaeo	สระแก้ว	608,000	6,831	83	Sa Kaeo	SKW	TH-27	TH80
Sakon Nakhon	สกลนคร	1,200,000	9,580	121	Sakon Nakhon	SNK	TH-47	TH20
Samut Prakan	สมุทรปราการ	1,324,000	947	1,420	Mueang Samut Prakan	SPK	TH-11	TH42
Samut Sakhon	สมุทรสาคร	567,000	866	675	Mueang Samut Sakhon	SKN	TH-74	TH55
Samut Songkhram	สมุทรสงคราม	209,000	414	467	Samut Songkhram	SKM	TH-75	TH54
Saraburi	สระบุรี	708,000	3,499	185	Saraburi	SRI	TH-19	TH37
Satun	สตูล	311,000	3,019	107	Satun	STN	TH-91	TH67
Sing Buri	สิงห์บุรี	198,000	817	255	Sing Buri	SBR	TH-17	TH33
Sisaket	ศรีสะเกษ	1,484,000	8,936	165	Sisaket	SSK	TH-33	TH30
Songkhla	สงขลา	1,444,000	7,741	186	Songkhla	SKA	TH-90	TH68
Sukhothai	สุโขทัย	615,000	6,671	89	Sukhothai Thani	STI	TH-64	TH09
Suphan Buri	สุพรรณบุรี	891,000	5,410	156	Suphan Buri	SPB	TH-72	TH51
Surat Thani	สุราษฎร์ธานี	1,101,000	13,079	81	Surat Thani	SNI	TH-84	TH60
Surin	สุรินทร์	1,442,000	8,854	157	Surin	SRN	TH-32	TH29
Tak	ตาก	704,000	17,303	39	Tak	TAK	TH-63	TH08
Trang	ตรัง	636,000	4,726	136	Trang	TRG	TH-92	TH65
Trat	ตราด	218,000	2,866	78	Trat	TRT	TH-23	TH49
Ubon Ratchathani	อุบลราชธานี	1,903,000	15,626	120	Mueang Ubon Ratchathani	UBN	TH-34	TH75
Udon Thani	อุดรธานี	1,608,000	11,072	143	Udon Thani	UDN	TH-41	TH76
Uthai Thani	อุทัยธานี	342,000	6,647	50	Uthai Thani	UTI	TH-61	TH15
Uttaradit	อุตรดิตถ์	470,000	7,906	58	Uttaradit	UTD	TH-53	TH10
Yala	ยะลา	523,000	4,476	119	Yala	YLA	TH-95	TH70
Yasothon	ยโสธร	575,000	4,131	130	Yasothon	YST	TH-35	TH72

The total population of Thailand is 67,592,000 as of December 2022.^[1]
The total land area of Thailand is 517,646 km² in 2013.^[2]
HS – Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System.
FIPS code is replaced on 31 December 2014 with ISO 3166.

Governance

Thailand's national government organisation is divided into three types: central government (ministries, bureaus and departments), provincial government (provinces and districts) and local government (Bangkok, Pattaya, provincial administrative organisations, etc.).

A province, as part of the provincial government, is administered by a governor (ผู้ว่าราชการจังหวัด) who is appointed by the Minister of Interior. Bangkok, as part of the local government, is administered by a corporation called Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. The corporation is led by the Governor of Bangkok (ผู้ว่าราชการกรุงเทพมหานคร) who is directly elected by the citizens of Bangkok.

The provinces are named after their original main city, which may not necessarily still be the most populous city within the province today. Also, in several provinces the administration has been moved into a new building outside the city.

History

Before 1892

Many provinces date back to semi-independent local chiefdoms or kingdoms, which made up the Ayutthaya Kingdom. The provinces were created around a capital city (mueang), and included surrounding villages or satellite towns. The provinces were administered either by a governor, who was appointed by the king or by a local ruling family, who were descendants of the old kings and princes of that area and had been given this privilege by the central king. De facto the king did not have much choice but to choose someone from the local nobility or an economically strong man, as against these local power groups the administration would have become impossible. The governor was not paid by the king, but instead financed himself and his administration by imposing local taxes himself. Every province was required to send an annual tribute to Bangkok.

The provinces were divided into four different classes. The first-class were the border provinces. The second-class were those that once had their own princely house. Third-class were provinces that were created by splitting them from other provinces. Fourth-class were provinces near the capital. Additionally tributary states like the principalities of Lan Na, the Laotian kingdoms of Vientiane and Luang Prabang, Cambodia, or the Malay sultanate Kedah were also part of the country, but with more autonomy than the provinces. In this Mandala system the semi-independent countries sometimes were tributary to more than one country.

New provinces were created when the population of an area outgrew the administration, but also for political reasons. If a governor became too dominant in a region former satellite cities were elevated to provincial status, as was the case with Maha Sarakham province.

Reforms of the provincial administration started in the 1870s under increased pressure from the colonial states of the United Kingdom and France. Agents were sent, especially to border areas, to impose more control on the provinces or tributary states.

Administrative reform of 1892

At the end of the 19th century King Chulalongkorn reformed the central government. In 1892 the ministry, which previously had many overlapping responsibilities, was reorganized with clear missions as in Western administrations. Prince Damrong Rajanubhab became minister of the Ministry of the North (Mahatthai), originally responsible for the northern administration. When the Ministry of the South (Kalahom) was dissolved in 1894, Prince Damrong became Minister of the Interior, responsible for the provincial administration of the whole country.

Starting in 1893 the already existing commissionaireships in some parts of the country were renamed "superintendent commissioner" (khaluang Thesaphiban), and their area of responsibility was called a monthon. In strategically important areas the monthon were created first, while in other areas the provinces kept their independence a bit longer. Several smaller provinces were reduced in status to an amphoe (district) or even lower to a tambon (sub-district) and included in a neighboring province, sometimes for administrative reasons, but sometimes to remove an uncooperative governor.

In some regions rebellions broke out against the new administrative system, usually induced by the local nobility fearing their loss of power. The most notable was the Holy Man Rebellion in 1902 in Isan. It was initially a messianic doomsday sect, but it also attacked government representatives in the northeast. The provincial town Khemarat was even burned by the rebels. After a few months the rebellion was beaten back.^[9]

After 1916, the word changwat became common to use for the provinces, partly to distinguish them from the provincial capital city (mueang or amphoe mueang), but also to stress the new administrative structure of the provinces.^[10]

When Prince Damrong resigned in 1915, the whole country was divided into 19 monthon (including the area around Bangkok, which was under the responsibility of another ministry until 1922), with 72 provinces.

In December 1915 King Vajiravudh announced the creation of regions (phak), each administered by a viceroy (upparat), to cover several monthon. Until 1922 four regions were established; however, in 1925 they were dissolved again. At the same time several monthon were merged, in an attempt to streamline administration and reduce costs.

Since 1932

The monthons were dissolved when Thailand transformed from an absolute monarchy into a constitutional monarchy in 1932, making the provinces the top level administrative division again. Several smaller provinces were also abolished at that time. During World War II, several provinces around Bangkok were merged. These changes were undone after the war. Also the occupied area from French Indochina was organized into four provinces: Phra Tabong, Phibunsongkhram, Nakhon Champasak and Lan Chang. The current province of Sukhothai was at first known as Sawankhalok. It was renamed Sukhothai in 1939 (which is why the railway system goes to Sawankhalok city and not Sukhothai city). The province, Kalasin, was reestablished in 1947 after having been dissolved in 1932.

In 1972 Phra Nakhon and Thonburi provinces were merged to form the special administrative area of Bangkok, which combines the tasks of the provinces with that of a municipality, including having an elected governor.

Starting in the second half of the 20th century some provinces were newly created by splitting them off from bigger provinces. In 1975, Yasothon province was split off from Ubon Ratchathani. In 1977, Phayao province was created from districts formerly part of Chiang Rai. In 1982, Mukdahan was split off from Nakhon Phanom. In 1993 three provinces were created: Sa Kaeo (split from Prachinburi), Nong Bua Lamphu province (split from Udon Thani), and Amnat Charoen (split from Ubon Ratchathani). The newest province is Bueng Kan, which was split off from Nong Khai effective 23 March 2011.

Former provinces and administrative areas

Former provinces merged into other provinces

Province	Capital	Merged in	Fate
Kabin Buri	Kabin Buri	1926^[12]	Merged into Prachinburi province
Sukhothai (before 1932)	Sukhothai Thani	1932^[13]	Merged into Sawankhalok province. However, the province's name and location of capital was changed back to Sukhothai in 1938.
Lom Sak	Lom Sak		Merged into Phetchabun province
Thanyaburi	Thanyaburi		Merged into Pathum Thani province
Kalasin	Kalasin		Merged into Maha Sarakham province, Split out again in 1947
Lang Suan	Lang Suan		Merged into Chumphon province
Takua Pa	Takua Pa		Merged into Phang Nga province
Sai Buri	Sai Buri		Merged into Pattani province (except Bacho District which was merged into Narathiwat province)
Phra Pradaeng	Phra Pradaeng		Merged into Samut Prakan province (except Rat Burana District which was merged into Thonburi province)
Min Buri	Min Buri		Merged into Phra Nakhon province (Nong Chok District was merged into Chachoengsao province first then reallocated back in 1933)
Samut Prakan (before 1943)	Samut Prakan	1943^[14]	Merged into Phra Nakhon province (except Ko Sichang District which was merged into Chonburi province). The part of Phra Nakhon was split out again in 1946
Nakhon Nayok	Nakhon Nayok		Merged into Prachinburi province (except Ban Na District which was merged into Saraburi province). Split out again in 1946
Samut Sakhon	Samut Sakhon		Merged into Thonburi province. Split out again in 1946
Nonthaburi	Nonthaburi		Merged into Phra Nakhon province (except Bang Kruai District, Bang Yai District, Bang Bua Thong District which was merged into Thonburi province). Split out again in 1946
Phra Nakhon	Phra Nakhon	1971^[15]	Merged to form the current Bangkok
Thonburi	Thonburi	1971^[15]	Merged to form the current Bangkok

Conceded territories (including protectorates)

Territory	Capital	Period	Fate	Today part of
Salaween Territory	Chiang Mai	1802–1892	Karenni State and Shan State, British Burma	Kayah State and Shan State Myanmar
Kawtaung Territory	Chumphon	1769–1864	Mergui British Burma	Thanintharyi Myanmar
Miawadi Territory	Chiang Mai	1768–1834	Thaton British Burma	Myawaddy, Kayin State Myanmar
Sip Song Ju Tai	none	1779–1888	4e Territoire Millitaire, Son La, Lao Kay, Yen Bay, Pho Tho, Hoa Bin French Indochina	Son La, Dien Bien, Lai Chau, Phu Tho, Yen Bai, Hoa Binh Vietnam
Chiang Khaeng (Muang Sing)	Muang Sing	1892–1893	Shan State British Burma and Haut Mekong French Indochina	Shan State Myanmar and Luang Namtha Laos
Luang Phrabang	Luang Phrabang	1778–1893	Luang Phrabang French Indochina	Luang Phrabang Laos
Chiang Khouang	Chiang Khouang	1828–1893	Tran Ninh French Indochina	Xiangkhouang Laos
Borikhan Nikhom	Borikhan Nikhom	1828–1893	Vientiane French Indochina	Bolikhamsai Laos
Kham Kert	Kham Kert	1828–1893	Khammouane French Indochina	Bolikhamsai Laos
Kham Meun	Kham Meun	1828–1893	Khammouane French Indochina	Khammouane Laos
Nakhon Phanom	Nakhon Phanom	1893	Partitioned between Nakhon Phanom Siam and Khammouane French Indochina	Nakhon Phanom Thailand and Khammouane Laos
Mukdahan	Mukdahan	1893	Partitioned between Mukdahan Siam and Savannakhet French Indochina	Mukdahan Thailand and Savannakhet Laos
Khemmarat	Khemmarat	1893	Partitioned between Khemmarat Siam and Salavan French Indochina	Ubon Ratchathani Thailand and Salavan Laos
Nakhon Champassak	Nakhon Champassak	1780–1826 1829–1904	Partitioned between Det Udom Siam and Bassac, Attapeu, Stung Treng French Indochina	Stung Treng Cambodia and Salavan, Attapeu Laos
Kham Thong Luang	Kham Tong Luang	1829–1893	Salavan French Indochina	Salavan Laos
Salawan	Salawan	1829–1893	Salavan French Indochina	Salavan Laos
Attapeu	Attapeu	1829–1893	Attapeu French Indochina	Attapeu Laos
Sitadon	Sitadon	1829–1893	Bassac French Indochina	Champassak Cambodia
Saen Pang	Saen Pang	1829–1893	Stung Treng French Indochina	Stung Treng Cambodia
Chiang Taeng	Chiang Taeng	1829–1893	Stung Treng French Indochina	Stung Treng Cambodia
Chaiburi	Chaiburi	1893–1904	Luang Phrabang French Indochina	Sainyabuli Laos
Khukhan	Khukhan	1907	Partitioned between Khukhan Siam and Kampong Thom French Indochina	Sisaket Thailand and Stung Treng, Kampong Thom Cambodia
Sangkha	Sangkha	1907	Partitioned between Sangkha Siam and Battambang French Indochina	Surin Thailand and Oddar Meanchey, Banteay Meanchey Cambodia
Siemmarat	Siemmarat	1845–1907	Siem Reap French Indochina	Siem Reap Cambodia
Phanom Sok	Phnom Srok	1845–1907	Siem Reap, Battambang French Indochina	Siem Reap, Oddar Meanchey, Banteay Meanchey Cambodia
Sisophon	Sisophon	1845–1907	Battambang French Indochina	Banteay Meanchey Cambodia
Phra Tabong	Phra Tabong	1769–1907	Battambang French Indochina	Battambang, Banteay Meanchey Cambodia
Prachankiriket^[16]	Prachankiriket	1855–1904	Pursat and Kampot, French Indochina	Pursat and Koh Kong, Cambodia
Penang	Penang	1786–1867	Penang British Malaya	Penang Malaysia
Lan Chang	Sama Buri	1941–1946	Luang Prabang, French Indochina	Sainyabuli and Luang Prabang, Laos
Phra Tabong	Battambang	1941–1946	Battambang, French Indochina	Battambang and Pailin, Cambodia
Phibunsongkhram	Sisophon	1941–1946	Battambang, Siem Reap, Kompong Thom and Stung Treng, French Indochina	Banteay Meanchey, Oddar Meanchey and Siem Reap, Cambodia
Nakhon Champassak	Champasak	1941–1946	Kompong Thom, Stung Treng and Bassac, French Indochina	Preah Vihear and Stung Treng, Cambodia Champasak, Laos
Syburi	Alor Setar	1821–1909 1943–1945	Kedah, British Malaya	Kedah, Malaysia
Palit	Kangar	1839–1909 1943–1945	Perlis, British Malaya	Perlis, Malaysia
Kalantan	Kota Bharu	1786–1909 1943–1945	Kelantan, British Malaya	Kelantan, Malaysia
Trangkanu	Kuala Terengganu	1786 –1909 1943–1945	Terengganu, British Malaya	Terengganu, Malaysia
Saharat Thai Doem	Chiang Tung	1943–1945	Karenni State and Shan State, British Burma	Kayah State and Shan State Myanmar
Tanaosi	Tanaosi	until–1767	Dawei Konbaung Dynasty	Thanintharyi Myanmar